As warmer weather approaches, it’s important to remember the dangers of leaving children and pets in hot cars. On average, 37 children die each year from heatstroke after being left or trapped in vehicles. In 2018 and 2019, 53 children lost their lives each year due to heatstroke, totaling 969 deaths since 1998.
To raise awareness, May 1 is designated as National Heatstroke Prevention Day. Efforts to spread awareness have led to a decline in deaths, with 29 children losing their lives last year. However, even one death is too many.
Pets, especially dogs, are also at risk of heatstroke if left in cars. Although there are no statistics available, it’s estimated to happen hundreds of times each year.
Heatstroke in vehicles is not just a problem in hot weather. Even on cooler days, temperatures inside a sealed car can become dangerously high. For example, an outside temperature of 61 degrees can result in an interior temperature of 105 degrees in just one hour.
Cracking a window does little to reduce the heat inside a car. Children are at risk in three main scenarios: being forgotten in vehicles, gaining access to unlocked cars and becoming trapped, or being knowingly left in vehicles by caregivers who underestimate how quickly a car can heat up.
It’s crucial for parents, caregivers, and drivers to understand that children should never be left alone in a vehicle, even for a minute. If you see a child or pet locked in a car and in distress, call 911 immediately. Many states have Good Samaritan laws that protect individuals from liability if they need to break a window to rescue a child or pet.
Automakers have begun installing reminder safety systems to address this danger. These systems alert drivers if a rear door was opened at the beginning of a trip, reminding them to check the back seat upon arrival. The federal government has mandated all automakers to include a back-seat occupant alert system as standard equipment by 2025.
Until reminder systems become standard, it’s essential to develop habits like checking the back seat before leaving a vehicle. One simple mantra to remember is “Stop. Look. Lock.” By staying vigilant and taking preventive measures, we can protect children and pets from the dangers of hot cars.
